A need, a solution

HEINEKEN France, a 100% Markem-Imaje solution

Following the installation of Markem-Imaje printers at its Alsace-based operation in North-Eastern France, the world-famous brewer HEINEKEN has turned once again to Markem-Imaje for its other two French breweries. What is the secret of this success? The global solution offered by Markem-Imaje.

“We successfully conducted tests on the equipment in real conditions: High outputs, format changes, wet zones... The 9232 printer was also the most user-friendly and ergonomic.”
SOPHIE LESENFANS, industrial projects and CAPEX buyer

Desperados, Pelforth, Fischer, Adelscott… In addition to the well-known red star brand that made its name, HEINEKEN produces around fifteen other beers, all packaged at three breweries in France, located in the cities of Strasbourg (North-Eastern France), Lille (Northern France) and Marseille in the south. Each site handles several different containers (packs in cardboard, or film-wrapped, bottles, boxes, barrels, etc.), sometimes at a very high output: Up to 70,000 boxes per hour. The humidity of the environment, making it necessary to dry containers before marking, and the sheer variety of messages to be printed are other factors that need to be taken into account. These requirements prompted HEINEKEN to select Markem-Imaje inkjet printers for its Alsace brewery in 2010. At the end of 2011, the brewer launched a call for bids to equip its other two sites. Following tests with a variety of suppliers, it was once again Markem-Imaje that won the contract. HEINEKEN was impressed by the global approach adopted by the Group, which offered a contract including equipment rental, curative and preventive maintenance, waste collection and recycling and supply of consumables. After providing training for maintenance technicians and product line operators, Markem-Imaje installed twenty 9232 printers at the Northern French site and nine in Marseille in the spring of 2012.

Company Profile

Name: HEINEKEN France (brewer and distributor)
Date of creation in France: 1972
Production sites: 3 breweries (Marseille, Mons-en-Baroeul and Schiltigheim) and 90 France Boissons distribution warehouses
Business: production and distribution of beers and shandies
Group employees: around 4,200 people
2011 turnover: 1.77 million euros
2011 sales: 5.4 million hectoliters

Government Warning

(1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.
(2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.